Role of context in messages – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B and D are correct, whereas C is incorrect. A is true because physical context covers environmental elements such as seating, lighting and temperature that influence communication. B is true since social context concerns the roles, status and relationships among participants in an interaction. D is true as cultural norms strongly shape when and how it is appropriate to express disagreement. C is false because context significantly affects interpretation; the same words may be understood differently in different situations.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes only A and B and leaves out D, which is also a correct statement about cultural context. By omitting D it fails to capture the full range of contextual influences described in the question. Therefore A and B only is incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it brings together A, B and D, the three statements that accurately describe different facets of context. It also appropriately excludes C, which wrongly claims that context does not influence interpretation. As it includes all and only the correct statements, this option is the right answer.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it lists only B and D as correct and omits A. While B and D are valid, leaving out A ignores the physical environment, which is a recognised aspect of context in communication. Hence this option does not fully answer the question.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it treats all four statements as correct, including C. Since C denies the role of context in interpretation, it contradicts communication theory. Mixing a false statement with true ones makes this option unacceptable.